Green Marlborough
is a group of residents and
businesses promoting environmentally sustainable choices in the community. Help us make a healthy
environment for people who live and work in Marlborough!
We're
incubating community environmental initiatives,
promoting Green Community* efforts and leading the
city's Sustainability Taskforce.
Green
Marlborough needs donated and paid staff time to
help implement local non-profit and sustainability
initiatives. If you have professional
fundraising, research, office work, communication,
and legal skills please send a resume to Jen@GreenMarlborough.org.
Help us make a healthier environment locally!
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Donate
to Green Marlborough!
Would
you like to donate to an environmental
organization? Consider donating to Green
Marlborough which makes a difference in your
community!
You may
make a tax-deductible donation by making a
check payable to "Green Marlborough" and
mailing it to Marlborough Regional Community
Foundation, 11 Florence Street, Marlborough, MA
01752.
Every
dollar you donate is dedicated to local
projects. Green
Marlborough appreciates your support to protect the
environment. Thank
you for your generosity!
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2010-2012
Sustainability Action Plan Taskforce (SAPT)
This
Taskforce is comprised of six municipal staff, four
residential representatives and four business
representatives. It is co-chaired by Jen
Boudrie, Green Marlborough Founder and Priscilla
Ryder, Marlborough Conservation Officer. The 2008
Sustainability Action Plan for Marlborough (see
link on left) is a working draft that is in the
process of being updated.
"The
SAPT goal is for the City of Marlborough
as a whole to be smarter and more resourceful about
the manner in which its buildings use energy, people
and goods are transported, and waste is managed.By undertaking the actions in the plan
Marlborough is in a position to take advantage of
emerging trends and resources in energy,
transportation, land use and waste management that
change for the better the way our city works and the
way we live."UPDATE:
In January 2011 the SAPT
was suspended until
funds were raised for the residential Action
Plan.We
are in the process of creating a 2012 Sustainability
Action Plan Taskforce. Some Green Marlborough
funds will be used to help support this
effort.
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Green
Purchasing Tips!
Buy
local products (made in Marlborough, New
England, USA) to reduce transportation fuel costs
and support the local economy.
Consider
thelife cycle of a product. What is it
made from? How long will it last? How
will it be disposed of? Your sustainable
choices prevent pollution, reduce waste and invest
in a greener economy. Consider buying organic, durable
products that last a long time or can be reused/recycled when you are
done with them.
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Learn
about the Open Space Plan
On
November 16, 2010 the 2010-2015 Marlborough
Open Space Plan was revealed by the Marlborough
Conservation Officer at a public meeting in city
hall. The meeting was taped for TV and
broadcast in December 2010.
You
can read the Open Space Plan, by going to the Conservation Department page at www.Marlborough-ma.gov
and clicking on its link.
Did
you know? Marlborough has nearly $1million
in the Open Space Stabilization Fund to purchase
open space in Marlborough.
If
you have questions about the Open Space Plan, please
contact the Marlborough Conservation Officer who
authored the Open Space Plan.
This
photo has excited a lot of interest, but in fact
Marlborough may not be an ideal location for current
wind turbine technology which needs high hills, open
spaces, or coastal winds. However,
solar panels are a completely
different story and are more common in
Marlborough.
Solar
hot water and solar hot air are more affordable than solar
electric.
Renewable
Energy is essential and so is Energy Efficiency.
$1
spent for energy efficiency saves
at
least $5
in renewable energy
The
best solutions are simple:
Energy
Conservation Unplug unused
electronics. Turn off lights. Weatherize doors and
windows. Hang
clothes to dry.
Energy
Efficiency Install energy efficient
light bulbs. Put in a programmable thermostat.
At
the Marlborough Public Library you can
borrow the Low Carbon Diet book
and Kill-A-Watt, a meter
that measures home and office
appliances' electricity use!
Donated by Green Marlborough.
"I
did the Low Carbon Diet three times
and now save almost $2000
annually. As fuel costs go up I
will save more each year." - Dean
H.
EVENTS
& NEWS
New
Recycling
Research for Marlborough
Research
conducted by the Green Marlborough
Recycling Taskforce in April
2010. Click
here.
Waste
Reduction Options, a PowerPoint
presentation from the local
Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection
representative.
This
information is being posted due to
requests received about recycling from
city leaders and residents and is
posted here so everyone can learn
about it. According to data from
the DPW and Allied Waste our recycling
rate has been about 13% between 2002
and 2010. For more information
about waste in Marlborough read the
2006 Energy and Environmental
Inventory for Marlborough.
To
learn more about HOW to recycle read
the recycling section in
Directions
from Route 20:
From Marlborough go west on
Route 20. At the
Marlborough/Northborough border go
right on Boundary Street. Before one
mile take a left into the parking lot
before crossing the Assabet River
bridge.
The Marlborough Earth Day
Fair is a community event that
encourages and celebrates
environmental sustainability.
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Marlborough
adoptsthe
Stretch
Energy Code forBuilding
Energy Efficiency !!
On
November 8, 2010 Marlborough City
Council voted 10-1 to adopt the
Stretch Energy Code. This means
Marlborough will have more energy
efficient buildings in the
future. Marlborough is now a
"Green Community" and
received a $217,000 grant for local energy
efficiency and renewable energy
generation.
We
televised a one-hour TV show on the
Stretch Code and HERS to help educate
the public. For
a copy contact Jen@GreenMarlborough.org.
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Businesses
Do
you pay the energy bill for your
business? Contact National Grid
or NStar and ask for a free energy
audit. They pay 70% of
energy-saving retrofits they
recommend.
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Homeowners
Schedule
a FREE
Home Energy Audit
TODAY
from National Grid and
NStar
A
professional analyzes where energy is being used in
your home. Rebates can pay 70% of the cost of
insulation
installation and more! Go towww.MassSave.com
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Low
Income Homeowners/Renters
save
on energy bills! Get a FREE home
energy analysis & FREE
insulation, weatherstripping, doors,
windows, weatherization - up to
$10,000. The federal government
gave $5,000,000 to SMOC in August 2009
to weatherize homes. They've
hired energy auditors, weatherizers
& contractors to weatherize hundreds
of homes in the next 3 years. In
the first year this stimulus-funded
program only weatherized about 5 homes in
Marlborough. Call Today!
On
March 4, 2010 the Marlborough Regional
Chamber of Commerce graciously honored
Green Marlborough with the annual
"Green Award" at the Royal
Plaza. Click here
for info.
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Looking
Back at 2011
Green
Marlborough's fifth year was a fine
one. Many thanks to all who
participated and learned about our
efforts:
The
4th annual Earth Day Fair
Green
Marlborough TV series
Walks
with Green Marlborough
Green
Guide for Marlborough
Green
Marlborough website
Monthly
email announcements
I'm
proud that Green Marlborough's a
resource to so many learning about
sustainable development. Green
Marlborough works with government,
businesses and residents to protect
our environment's health now and for
our future.
Jen
Boudrie, Founder,GreenMarlborough
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Looking
Back at 2010
Green
Marlborough had good year! Local environmental
initiatives that enjoyed success were:
l
Green
Community designation on December 16,
2010 from MA Department of Energy
Resources which entitles Marlborough
to $217,125 for energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects
l
Green
Award from the Marlborough Chamber of
Commerce
l
Sustainability
Action Plan Taskforce meetings with 14
municipal, residential and business
leaders.
Some
events we
enjoyed:
l
Marlborough
Earth Day Fair
l
Stream
Teams
l
Green
Marlborough TV Show
l
Walks with
Green Marlborough
and
more!
As
a result people are making more environmentally
sustainable choices and we are
protecting and enjoying our local
natural resources, too. Thanks
to everyone for participating by
helping with events, attending
meetings, reading emails, cheering
Green Marlborough from afar, or just
doing your own thing to live more
sustainably.
Green
Marlborough plays an important public
leadership role to make a difference
in Marlborough and
your participation is important to
protect our natural resources.
Thank you!
Green
Marlborough projects in 2011 will
include a community green guide, local
events and on-going projects.
I look forward to watching these
efforts grow with you!
Jen
Boudrie, Founder, Green Marlborough
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Solar
and Energy Star Tour in
Marlborough
Many
thanks to home owners and business owners for
allowing people to tour and learn
about your solar installations and
Energy Star buildings in October
2008-2010.
